Thomas Holmes Fowler, 73, a retired farmer, died Aug. 15, 2005, at his home, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Born Sept. 14, 1931, in Nansemond County, he was the son of the late Thomas Horace and Essie Hayes Fowler and brother of the late Haywood Fowler. Mr. Fowler was a lifetime and faithful member of Somerton United Methodist Church, where he served as a former Superintendent of the Sunday school. He was a past president of the Somerton Ruritan Club, had a lifetime love of farming, and loved NASCAR racing and baseball.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years and devoted caregiver for many years Lillian Barnes Fowler; his daughter and son-in-law, Joanne F. and Jeff Bangley; his sons and daughters-in-law Carroll Holmes and Susan Fowler, Thomas Bernard and Ann Fowler, all of Suffolk; his grandchildren Mark Fowler, Brian Fowler and wife Amy Sherry Huffman and husband Mike; his great-grandson, Clint Huffman and soon to be born great-granddaughter, Claire Huffman; his sister, Helen Glenn of Suffolk. He dearly loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in Somerton United Methodist Church by the Rev. Becky Gwaltney and the Rev. Al Crockett with burial in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends in the R. W. Baker and Co. Funeral Home and Crematory from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and other times as 7208 Whaleyville Blvd. Memorial Donations may be made to the Nansemond Suffolk Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 1515, Suffolk, VA, 23439 or to the Somerton United Methodist Church Building Fund, in care of Joanne Bangley, 7200 Whaleyville Blvd, Suffolk, VA, 23438.

Condolences may be left at www.rwbakerfh.com.